The Covered Bridge that Opelika put back together again!

Shotwell-Salem Covered Bridge spans Rocky Branch in Opelika, Alabama. It is a popular place for photographers and lovers of history and romance, but it also has a much deeper story.

The bridge was built in 1906 in the Town Lattice Truss design and its single span originally crossed Wacoochee Creek near the community of Salem about 10 miles east of Opelika. It took its name from the two communities that it linked – Salem and nearby Shotwell – and it was a much-loved landmark in its original location for 105 years.

But then, as Two Egg TV’s Rachael Conrad reports, disaster brought the historic bridge tumbling down. It took love to put it back together again. Click the play button to watch the story:

The Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge can be seen daily at Municipal Park in Opelika, Alabama (see map below). It provides a gateway to the beautiful Caroline Dean Wildflower Garden where you will find a fascinating collection of native blooming plants collected by Caroline Dean and transplanted to the park by the Lee County Master Gardner Program.

The park is also home to the Rocky Brook Rocket, a restored vintage train that runs on occasion and is even available to rent. Click here to learn more.